Health Library

Adjusting to Wearing a Hearing Aid

A hearing aid is an aid to better hearing, not a cure for hearing loss. People often have unrealistic hopes about their hearing aid and are disappointed when it fails to provide perfect hearing. Getting the most out of your new hearing aid means acquiring new skills.

Adjusting to a new world of sound

In the first week with your hearing aid, you’ll be listening to the many strange, often loud, new sounds around you, including your own voice.

Start with quiet 1-to-1 chats with friends and family. Gradually move to more difficult situations, such as talking with more than 1 person.

Realize that making adjustments to the noise in restaurants, auditoriums, and parties will take time.

Hearing loss often occurs slowly. Adjusting to your new hearing aid also takes time. It may take up to 6 months for you to achieve the full benefits offered by your hearing aid.

Tips for better listening

Start the conversation. Don’t wait for others to speak to you first.

Move closer and position yourself so that the speaker’s face is well-lighted and you can see it clearly.

Watch the speaker’s face, lips, and gestures for clues to what’s being said.

Relax. Don’t strain to hear every word. People with normal hearing miss words and “fill in” from surrounding sentences.

Enlist the support of your family and friends during your adjustment period.

Install a telephone amplifier at home.

Wear your hearing aid. The more you use it, the better your results will be.